File and print sharing is working now- done deal - MN 820

I shared in a past post that I had issues with file and
print sharing on my MN-820 Wireless G Kit. They are
solved.

After installing the product I re-set up the network
through XP on each machine, the desktop and laptop, and I
was in business.

Amazing. History:

Bought and installed MN-820 Kit January 21, 2004
Only achieved internet access. Both XP desktop and XP
laptop could access Internet over router.
File and print sharing wouldn't work on either in spite
of my best efforts. Files and printer were set up as
shared on both to no avail. All cables were in place.
All troubleshooting via installation manual failed.

2 weeks later:
3 hours with MS phone support (Bombay) yielded no
success. Frustration level high. Manually entered IP
addresses, WEP numbers, etc. Confirmed correct Workgroup
name, etc. etc. Pinged everything in the known world
successfully. Still no go. No file or print sharing
available over wireless. Huge language barrier with MS
help and myself. Could have been half as long if we could
have understood each other clearly.

1 week later:
Posted a message asking for help from this usenet group
also yielded no answers. Frustration level high.

Gave up on getting an answer. The only benefit from this
kit was Internet access over wireless network. Resigned
myself to this. Did appreciate everyone's effort at help
though. Got alot of good feedback and response from this
usenet group, including from MS technical people who
volunteered their time and efforts.

February 23, 2004 One month after purchase.

Talked to a friend who asked me if I had tried setting
the network up through XP on each machine. I tried this,
and it solved all problems. Internet access over cable
modem, file, and print sharing were all working instantly
over wireless network on laptop and on desktop. Over a
month and of searching for answers, but I'm there
finally. It is working great and I love it!!

I think the problem was I had to tell XP to look for the
router on the network. XP couldn't see it, because it
was still set up to look for my old network, when I used
to connect the desktop to the laptop with an Ethernet
cable. Until I went through the network setup process on
both machines, XP didn't know to look for a router.
During part of this process it asks if will be using
another device (or something like that) to access the
Internet. I chose OTHER meaning another device is
connecting to the Internet for me. The other device is
the base station. My cable modem is connected directly
to the base station, and the base station is connected to
my XP desktop.

Hope this helps someone. It was a long time getting
there, but everything is working like it is supposed to
now and life is beautiful.

I don't think the manual said anywhere to reset up the
network through XP on each machine.

Good luck and God Bless.